Wednesday, July 24, 2013

As
part of our 125th Anniversary celebration at Stein Your Florist Co.
we are sharing a year of floral education, November 1, 2012 thru October 31,
2013. Each day we will post something new on our Facebook page to
share our knowledge of our favorite things, flowers and plants and we'll be
updating our blog every 5 days or so. No need for pencils and notebooks, just
sharing some simple lessons in floristry.

Day 206 -
Cane has an interesting history. It is one of two species of bamboo, a type of
grass, native to North America. Preferring full sun and disturbance, river cane
was formerly most common on floodplains where it occurred beneath open forest
canopies. Cane also occurred under canopy openings in upland forests and in
scattered-tree savannas. Such sites and soils have been coveted by humans for
various purposes for centuries. In the floral industry river cane is dried and
used as an accent in many floral arrangements.

Day 207 -
Expedite lily blossom opening by using warm floral food solution and by
covering the buds with a clear plastic bag to maintain high humidity. Bright
light (not direct sunlight) also seems to hasten the opening process as well as
assuring good color in the blossoms.

Day 208 -
Many floral designers today are using yarn and felt to add intriguing texture
to their arrangements. Another way to add this element is with
"floral" cotton. The bolls, still on the stem, have been removed from
the stalk, hand cleaned and fluffed. The sturdy, star-shaped burrs (which hold
the cotton on the stem) are also used sans the cotton at times for a different
rustic look. Wonderful for autumn, rustic and country designs.

Day 209 - Chinese
lantern, Physalis alkekengi, is a relative of Cape Gooseberry, easily
identifiable by the larger, bright orange to red papery covering over its
fruit, which resemble paper lanterns. It is native from southern Europe east
across southern Asia to Japan. It is an herbaceous perennial plant growing to
40–60 cm tall, with spirally arranged leaves. The flowers are white, with a
five-lobed corolla, with an inflated basal calyx which matures into the papery
orange fruit covering.

Day 210 - Lei
is a garland or wreath. More loosely defined, a lei is any series of objects
strung together with the intent to be worn. The most popular concept of a lei
in Hawaiian culture is a wreath of flowers draped around the neck presented
upon arriving or leaving as a symbol of affection. This concept was popularized
through tourism between the Hawaiian Islands and the continental United States
in the 19th and 20th centuries. In modern times, a lei is usually given with a
kiss - a custom which began in World War II. Traditionalists, however, give a
lei by bowing slightly and raising it above the heart, allowing the recipient
to take it, as raising the hands above another's head, or touching the face or
head, is considered disrespectful.

As
part of our 125th Anniversary celebration at Stein Your Florist Co.
we are sharing a year of floral education, November 1, 2012 thru October 31,
2013. Each day we will post something new on our Facebook page to
share our knowledge of our favorite things, flowers and plants and we'll be
updating our blog every 5 days or so. No need for pencils and notebooks, just
sharing some simple lessons in floristry.

Day 201 -
Seen from interstate 5 in Carlsbad, CA, the 40 acres of wildly colorful fields
where these Ranunculus are grown are such an incredible sight that over the
years the farm has been opened up to the public and has become one of the few
flower "destinations" in North America. First established by the
Frazee family back in the 1930's, the Flower Fields of Carlsbad are now managed
by Mellano & Co. The Ranunculus bloom from mid-March to mid-May and during
peak production more than 11,000 bunches will be harvested for the professional
cut flower industry EACH DAY! Once the flowering season is over the bulbs will
be dug up for sale to the home gardening industry and the fields will be
re-planted from seed for next year’s crop!

Day 202 -
Greenhouses in Latin America are mostly not heated, so when there is a big
difference between daytime and night time temperatures, roses respond in a way
that the pigments concentrate. In yellow and pink varieties, concentrated
pigments appear as red flames or intense color chips, but in red varieties, pigments
appear black.

Day 203 -
More than 100,000 people—many displaced by Colombia’s guerrilla wars and rural
poverty—labor in greenhouses spread across the savanna. Seen from an airplane,
the greenhouses form geometric gray-and-white patterns reminiscent of an Escher
drawing. Up close, they turn out to be bare-bones structures of plastic
sheeting stapled to wooden frames. But the low-rent look is deceptive; the
operations are highly sophisticated, producing some of the most beautiful
blooms you’ve ever seen.

Day 204 -
Scabiosa “pods” are currently on trend, favored by brides and other fashion
savvy flora appreciators for their intriguing texture and delicate muted
colors. Though not pods in the botanical sense, these pale globes, comprising
papery, funnel shaped bracts, do have a dried flower look. The species is
Scabiosa stellata, and the spherical inflorescences are marketed as “stellata
pods” from late July to late October.

Day 205 - The
Uluhe (oo-loo-hay) fern (false staghorn) can be found all over the east (wetter)
side of the Big Island of Hawaii. The ferns grow well from sea level on up to
5,500 ft, but the most spectacular Uluhe ferns are found in Volcano and the
Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. The Uluhe begins growth as a shoot that comes
straight out of the ground - with the fern tightly coiled at the shoots end.
The shoot is about the thickness of a drinking straw. As the shoot grows the
end uncoils and the fern leaves begin to appear. As the leaves mature they
split into two sets of leaves, and from those another shoot can appear that
will make another two sets of leaves. This can continue as the plant grows
becoming almost vine like. These uluhe fern coils, fondly referred to as monkey
tails around the shop, are very popular with trendy brides and look great in
tropical bouquets.

As
part of our 125th Anniversary celebration at Stein Your Florist Co.
we are sharing a year of floral education, November 1, 2012 thru October 31,
2013. Each day we will post something new on our Facebook page to
share our knowledge of our favorite things, flowers and plants and we'll be
updating our blog every 5 days or so. No need for pencils and notebooks, just
sharing some simple lessons in floristry.

Day 196 - As
the longest lasting commercial Orchid variety on the market, Cymbidiums are
wonderful whether used by the stem or the individual bloom (although they will
last longer on the stem). Cymbidiums are best stored between 8 and 10 degrees
Celsius. Stems should be re-cut upon arrival and placed in cool fresh water
with the proper dose of floral preservative (If storing in water tubes, the
water should be changed every 3 days). When properly handled and stored,
Cymbidiums can often last 15 to 20 days!

Day 197 -
Roses are grown in areas with lots of intense light energy. Production areas
close to the equator (Colombia and Ecuador) get 12 hours light every day of the
year and the light energy (luminosity) is strongest at the equator vs. northern
latitudes.

Day 198 -
Most flowers grown in Colombia are bred in European labs, especially Dutch
labs, which ship seedlings and cuttings to growers. A single gerbera plant, for
instance, can last several years and produce hundreds of blooms, each one
taking 8 to 12 weeks to mature.

Day 199 -
Convallaria majalis commonly known as the Lily of the Valley, is a sweetly
scented (and highly poisonous) woodland flowering plant that is native
throughout the cool temperate Northern Hemisphere in Asia, Europe and in the
southern Appalachian Mountains in the United States. A limited native
population occurs in Eastern USA (our area, you may have seen them blooming
over the last couple weeks). There is; however, some debate as to the native
status of the American variety.

Day 200 -
While Callas are produced year round in South America, the peak months of
production are from May to October where one farm can produce up to 100,000
stems per week. This, of course, coincides perfectly with the spring and summer
wedding and event seasons where Callas are widely used in bridal bouquets and
arrangements. During the low production months from December to April the
number of stems produced can be as low as 40% of regular production numbers.

As
part of our 125th Anniversary celebration at Stein Your Florist Co.
we are sharing a year of floral education, November 1, 2012 thru October 31,
2013. Each day we will post something new on our Facebook page to
share our knowledge of our favorite things, flowers and plants and we'll be
updating our blog every 5 days or so. No need for pencils and notebooks, just
sharing some simple lessons in floristry.

Day 191 - The
name Shampoo Ginger comes from the peculiar trait that if rubbed, it will
release a “shampoo like” smell. It produces flowers that come out on the cone
that must be taken off as they will rot and turn the cone mushy and smelly. At
the beginning of the season, the cones are yellowish and small and produce the
least amount of flowers. Later on the cones grow taller and yellow, and at the end
of the season they are peach, and it produces more flowers.

Day 192 -
Pincushion protea are one of the longest lasting flower varieties available.
With proper care, they last a minimum of 15 days!

Day 193 - Cut
Hypericum berries start out as a yellow flowering shrub and the berries only
develop after the flower fades away…..a little like your grandmother’s rose
hips… It takes almost 8 months from planting to berry stage to produce a single
stem of florist quality berried Hypericum!

Day 194 - The
common name for Hypericum is St John’s Wort and it is widely available in
health food stores as a homeopathic remedy for ailments such as depression and
as a natural antibiotic.

Day 195 -
Heliconia flowers are almost exclusively pollinated by Hummingbirds, and
sometimes bats too, in Costa Rica.

As
part of our 125th Anniversary celebration at Stein Your Florist Co.
we are sharing a year of floral education, November 1, 2012 thru October 31,
2013. Each day we will post something new on our Facebook page to
share our knowledge of our favorite things, flowers and plants and we'll be
updating our blog every 5 days or so. No need for pencils and notebooks, just
sharing some simple lessons in floristry.

Day 186 -
Ranunculus is a large genus of about 600 species of plants in the
Ranunculaceae. Members of the genus include the buttercups, spearworts, water
crowfoots and the lesser celandine. All Ranunculus species are poisonous when
eaten fresh by cattle, horses, and other livestock, but their acrid taste and
the blistering of the mouth caused by their poison means they are usually left
uneaten. Poisoning can occur where buttercups are abundant in overgrazed fields
where little other edible plant growth is left, and the animals eat them out of
desperation. When Ranunculus plants are handled, naturally occurring ranunculin
is broken down to form protoanemonin, which is known to cause contact
dermatitis in humans and care should therefore be exercised in extensive
handling of the plants.

Day 187 -
Today, carnations can be found in a wide range of colors, and while in general
they express love, fascination and distinction, virtually every color carries a
unique and rich association. White carnations suggest pure love and good luck,
light red symbolizes admiration, while dark red represents deep love and
affection. Purple carnations imply capriciousness, and pink carnations carry
the greatest significance, beginning with the belief that they first appeared
on earth from the Virgin Mary’s tears – making them the symbol of a mother's
undying love.

Day 188 - The
Prayer plant is really a quite amazing plant. Its foliage is mainly a dark
green with red variations of veins running through them. The amazing part of
the Prayer plant is that at night, the leaves fold up. Just like it's praying!
This plant is available in many varieties including Herringbone and Rabbits
Tracks. The main foliage colors vary depending on the variety. This plant is a
nice small, compact houseplant, perfect for windowsills! It adapts very well to
indoor temperatures, making it a great addition to your room.

Day 189 -
Prayer plants prefer moderate to low indirect light levels. If the leaves on
your plant begin to curl and turn brown, your plant is receiving too much
light. Providing this plant with too much direct sunlight can burn the foliage.
Prayer plants require moist but not soggy soil. This houseplant also is one of
the few houseplants that does not like its soil to dry out between watering, so
try to keep the soil consistently moist at all times. The biggest need for this
houseplant is humidity. It requires high humidity levels to flourish, so a
daily misting will go far. If the tips of the foliage begin to brown your plant
may not be getting the humidity it needs. By providing high humidity levels,
you help in ensuring beautiful flowers bloom. This plant is also very
temperamental when it comes to temperature changes. It prefers a range of 65 to
80 degrees, however it does not like fluctuations in temperature. Do keep it
away from drafts.

Day 190 -
Croton plants are known for their bright tropical foliage, which is
multi-colored and exotic in appearance. The foliage contains stiff leaves
pointing upward and has a wax-like feel to them. The Croton plant requires
moderate to bright light, so keep the plant within 3 - 5 feet of a window
receiving sunlight. Croton plant varieties require heavy watering as well as
high humidity. Misting the plant once or twice a week appears to be sufficient
for accommodating the Croton's humidity needs if you live in an area with low
humidity levels. Keep the plants soil moist at all times. If leaves begin to
fall off or slope downward, you are probably not providing the plant with
enough water. If the leaves edges become wilted, this may be an indication that
you are over watering the plant. Try cutting down on how often you water and
see if that improves the leaves appearance. The Croton also prefers warm
temperatures up to 80 degrees F.

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

As
part of our 125th Anniversary celebration at Stein Your Florist Co.
we are sharing a year of floral education, November 1, 2012 thru October 31,
2013. Each day we will post something new on our Facebook page to share
our knowledge of our favorite things, flowers and plants and we'll be updating
our blog every 5 days or so. No need for pencils and notebooks, just sharing
some simple lessons in floristry.

Day 181 –
Bells of Ireland, Moluccella laevis, also known as Molucca balmis and
Shellflower, is a summer flowering annual, native to Turkey, Syria and the
Caucasus. It is cultivated for its spikes of flowers. In the language of
flowers, it represents luck. The tiny white flowers are surrounded by apple
green calyces which are persistent. The rounded leaves are pale green. Fast
growing, Moluccella laevis will reach 1 metre and spread to 30 centimeters with
an erect, branching habit. A member of the mint family, the blooming stems can
be cut and used in fresh or dried flower arrangements. The domestic plant is self-seeding,
prefers full sun and regular water and are unlikely to do well in hot, humid
climates.

Day 182 -
It's said that the natives of the Inca Empire worshipped a giant sunflower, and
that Incan priestesses wore large sunflower disks made of gold on their
garments. Images of sunflowers were found in the temples of the Andes Mountains,
and Native American Indians placed bowls of sunflower seeds on the graves of
their dead. The Impressionist period of art is famous for its fascination with
the sunflower, and this striking flower remains today a commonly photographed
and painted icon of uncommon beauty.

Day 183 - The
8th wedding anniversary flower and the state flower of New Hampshire
(symbolizing the hardy character of the Granite State’s citizens), lilacs are
frequently considered a harbinger of spring, with the time of their bloom
signaling whether spring will be early or late. In the language of flowers,
purple lilacs symbolize the first emotions of love, while white lilacs
represent youthful innocence.

Day 184 –
Handle anemones gently. They require the same general care as other cut
flowers, but because their stems are very soft and easily damaged, handle them
gently and support their stems when re-cutting. The delicate nature of the
blossoms means you’ll enjoy them for 3-5 days.

Day 185 - The
3rd wedding anniversary flower and the state flower of Kansas, sunflowers turn
to follow the sun. Their open faces symbolize the sun itself, conveying warmth
and happiness, adoration and longevity.

As part of our 125th Anniversary celebration
at Stein Your Florist Co. we are sharing a year of floral education, November
1, 2012 thru October 31, 2013. Each day we will post something new on our Facebook page to share
our knowledge of our favorite things, flowers and plants and we'll be updating
our blog every 5 days or so. No need for pencils and notebooks, just sharing
some simple lessons in floristry.

Day 176 - Hen
and chicks (also known as Hen-and-chickens, or Hen-and-biddies in the American
South) is a common name for a group of small succulent plants belonging to the
flowering plant family Crassulaceae, native to Europe and northern Africa. They
grow close to the ground with leaves formed around each other in a rosette, and
propagating by offsets. The "hen" is the main plant, and the
"chicks" are the offspring, which start as tiny buds on the main
plant and soon sprout their own roots, taking up residence close to the mother
plant.

Day 177 -
Tropical foliages are widely available from Central and South America. They
tend to be very long lasting. As with all tropicals these foliages should not
be exposed to temperatures below 15 degrees celsius. Regular misting of
tropical foliages helps to keep them fresh and last longer.

Day 178 -
Alstroemerias are best known as cut flowers, where their rich colors and lovely
veining grace many a vase, where they'll last for as long as two weeks. But
they can also be grown in the garden, where they do best in light, well-drained
soil. They bloom freely through the summer and come in almost all shades of the
rainbow except true blue.

Day 179 –
Hanging amaranthus, amaranthus caudatus, is a species of annual flowering
plant. It goes by common names such as love-lies-bleeding,
love-lies-a'bleeding, pendant amaranth, tassel flower, velvet flower, foxtail
amaranth, and quilete. It can grow anywhere from 3 to 8 feet in height, and
grows best in full sun. It can handle a variety of conditions, both humid and
arid. It is easily grown from seed. In most of its range, it is planted as a
summer annual. In temperate regions, plants can be started indoors in early
spring and transplanted outdoors after the last frost.

Day 180 - A
pseudanthium (Greek for "false flower") or flower head is a special
type of inflorescence, in which anything from a small cluster to hundreds or
sometimes thousands of flowers are grouped together to form a single
flower-like structure. Pseudanthia take various forms. The individual flowers
of a pseudanthium commonly are called florets. The real flowers (the florets)
are generally small and often greatly reduced, but the pseudanthium itself can
sometimes be quite large (as in the heads of some varieties of sunflower and
gerbera daisy.

As part of our 125th Anniversary celebration
at Stein Your Florist Co. we are sharing a year of floral education, November
1, 2012 thru October 31, 2013. Each day we will post something new on our Facebook page to share
our knowledge of our favorite things, flowers and plants and we'll be updating
our blog every 5 days or so. No need for pencils and notebooks, just sharing
some simple lessons in floristry.

Day 171 -
Near the turn of the 20th century, rose cultivators began to produce orange
roses, thanks to the recent discovery of wild yellow roses, and the spread of
advanced hybridization techniques. As these early experiments to produce orange
roses yielded positive results, rose enthusiasts found themselves with a new
layer to add to the increasingly rich tapestry of rose meanings. The orange
rose has mainly come to be regarded as the symbol for desire, enthusiasm and
passion. Being a literal mixture of the colors yellow and red, orange roses
were often seen as a bridge between the feelings of friendship symbolized by
yellow roses, and love associated with red roses.

Day 172 - Red
roses, as we think of them today, are the traditional symbol for love and
romance. The modern red rose we are now familiar with was introduced to Europe
from China in the 1800's. However, the meanings associated with them can be
traced back many centuries, even to some of the earliest societies. The color
red itself evolved from an early primal symbol for life into a metaphor for
deep emotion. In Greek and Roman mythology the red rose was closely tied to the
goddess of love. Many early cultures used red roses to decorate marriage
ceremonies and they were often a part of traditional wedding attire. Through
this practice, the red rose became known as a symbol for love and fidelity. As
the tradition of exchanging roses and other flowers as gifts of affection came
into prevalence, the red rose naturally became the flower of choice for sending
the strongest message of love. This is a tradition that has endured to the
present day.

Day 173 -
Earth Day is an annual holiday, celebrated on April 22, on which events are
held worldwide to demonstrate support for environmental protection. In 2013 the
day is 43 years old. It is now coordinated globally by the Earth Day Network,
and is celebrated in more than 192 countries every year. Having the joy of
working with some of the most beautiful parts of nature, flowers, every day, we
are continually reminded of the importance of environmental protection and
sustainability. Celebrate Earth Day every day!

Day 174 -
Lavender roses have had a captivating allure throughout their long history.
There are several lavender rose varieties in cultivation, ranging from the Old
Garden varieties to more modern rose hybrids, such as the ones pictured here,
known as Ocean Song. Lavender rose species include miniature rose bushes as
well as larger single bloom flowers. It is the longer stemmed variation that
has become the most popular for floral arrangements, and which often carries
the most symbolic significance. As with other roses, lavender roses have their
own special meanings which have evolved over the years of their existence. The
lavender rose is often a sign of enchantment and love at first sight. Those who
have been enraptured by feelings of love and adoration have used lavender roses
to express their romantic feelings and intentions. The color purple also has a
traditional association with royalty. In this regard, shades of lavender roses
can suggest an air of regal majesty and splendor.

Day 175 -
Crassula ovata, commonly known as jade plant, friendship tree, lucky plant or
money plant, is a succulent plant with small pink or white flowers. It is
native to South Africa, and is common as a houseplant worldwide. The jade plant
lends itself easily to bonsai and is popular as an indoor bonsai. It is an
evergreen plant with thick branches and smooth, rounded, fleshy leaves that
grow in opposing pairs along the branches. Leaves are a rich jade green; some
varieties may develop a red tinge on the edges of leaves when exposed to high
levels of sunlight. New stem growth is the same color and texture as the
leaves, but becomes brown and woody with age. Under the right conditions, they
may produce small white or pink star-like flowers in early spring.

Monday, July 22, 2013

So we can’t get back the 2 hours spent watching Sharknado on the
SciFi channel (and we’re not totally sure that we want to), but we can make a
short sequel… Sharknado 2: Flornado, a Tornado of Flowers at Stein Your Florist
Co.

Stein Your Florist Co. employees Jessi and Chris are ready to start
another day at work, but when they walk into the store they are hit with, what
else, a Flornado!

We adapted some of the best/worst lines from Sharknado for our “actors”,
grabbed the biggest fans from our greenhouse and gathered a ton of petals for
our sequel.

Here’s the dialog breakdown:

Sharknado: "Sharks. I never saw that coming."Flornado:“Flowers. I never saw that coming.”

Thursday, July 18, 2013

As part of our 125th Anniversary celebration
at Stein Your Florist Co. we are sharing a year of floral education, November
1, 2012 thru October 31, 2013. Each day we will post something new on our Facebook page to share
our knowledge of our favorite things, flowers and plants and we'll be updating
our blog every 5 days or so. No need for pencils and notebooks, just sharing
some simple lessons in floristry.

Day 166 -
Hardy cacti and other succulent plants are accustomed to desert conditions and
prefer bright, indirect light or direct sun. Water them thoroughly and evenly,
allowing them to dry out completely in between waterings. If the soil becomes
too hard and causes water to run off, place the pot in water just to cover the
soil, and allow it to soak for about 30 minutes.

Day 167 -
Reminiscent of Heather, Leptospermum is a genus of about 80-86 species of
plants in the myrtle family. Most species are endemic to Australia, with the
greatest diversity in the south of the continent; but one species extends to
New Zealand and another to Malaysia. They are shrubs or occasionally small
trees with dense branching. The leaves are evergreen and the flowers are up to
3 cm diameter, with five white, pink or red petals.

Day 168 -
Rose oil is a wonderful oil to use on the skin. Rose has astringent properties
which act as a skin tonic and it helps to moisturize and hydrate all skin types
especially dry, mature and sensitive skin. It can also help reduce skin
redness, fight inflammation and help to fix broken capillaries. Not only does
it work will on the skin, but it helps to fight depression, mental tension,
irritability and stress. It makes a wonderful massage oil and can be used in a
bath. Making your own rose oil is easy and a great way to use roses you may
have growing in your own yard. Check out the instructions here: http://www.ehow.com/how_4443509_make-rose-oil.html

Day 169 -
Pink roses have a rich history that comes with being one of the longest
existing roses known to us - in fact, pink roses have even been depicted in
some of the earliest known pieces of art. When roses first began to be
cultivated, the majority of them existed in various shades of pink, from the
palest pink to the deepest crimson. Prior to that, pink roses were the dominant
species among wild roses, and were likely among the earliest roses to evolve.

Day 170 -
With its pristine appearance, the white rose has come to symbolize purity,
innocence and secrecy. There are myths and legends from several different
cultures relating to the origin of the first rose which is initially white in
color and is then miraculously transformed. Oftentimes the pure white rose was
depicted as being stained by blood, or made to blush from a kiss. The
recurrence of this theme does a great deal to establish the white rose as a
symbol for purity.

As part of our 125th Anniversary celebration
at Stein Your Florist Co. we are sharing a year of floral education, November
1, 2012 thru October 31, 2013. Each day we will post something new on our Facebook page to share
our knowledge of our favorite things, flowers and plants and we'll be updating
our blog every 5 days or so. No need for pencils and notebooks, just sharing
some simple lessons in floristry.

Day 161 - Intoxicating by their very nature, apple
blossoms are symbolic of heady love, peace, sensuality, and fertility. Apple
blossoms (and trees) were honored by the ancient Celts as a symbol of love, and
they would decorate their bedchambers with these blossoms to entice amorous
nights.

Day 162 - A flowering plant's goal is to set seed. If you
repeatedly deadhead - trim off the spent flowers - the plant goes into
overdrive, putting out more and more flowers in an effort to reproduce. This
will make your flowering plant full of beautiful blooms!

Day 163 - Roses are edible flowers. From ancient times
they have appeared at feasting tables as bouquets and as food. The flavor of
roses is varied as the colors. The sweet, tart or spicy petals are easy to use
and popular additions to any kitchen. Light-color roses are more sweet or light
in flavor. Darker roses have more aroma and flavor. Taste a rose petal to
decide where it belongs on your menu.

Day 164 -
Despite their elegant, graceful appearance, orchids aren't difficult to care
for, and by following a few simple guidelines, many varieties will bloom for
you again next year. Keep your orchid in a well-ventilated spot with partial
shade, away from radiators, air conditioning, and strong drafts. To help
maintain the right level of humidity, set the planter in a tray of pebbles and
water so that the pot sits out of the water. This prevents the roots from
rotting, and allows the moisture to circulate. Orchids gain their water from
the relative humidity in the atmosphere, they do not absorb water in a
traditional way from the roots and soil. For stability, orchids are often
potted with the roots in a growing media that should not be overly wet. Orchids
require a period of dormancy during the winter in order to bloom again in the
spring, so allow it to rest in a sunny spot, and don't water it at all during
this time. When its blooms are gone, cut the spike an inch above the foliage,
leaving the old canes in place.

Day 165 - The genus Gladiolus comprises 260 species; 10 species are native to
Eurasia and 250 species are native to sub-Saharan Africa, mostly South Africa.
African Gladioli were imported from South Africa to Europe in large quantities
during the 18th century. Most of the more than 10,000 named Gladioli cultivars
were probably derived from just 7 species native to South Africa, they were
first brought to European gardens in the late 17th century. Every flower color
but blue is represented in modern hybrids, the flowers themselves vary
immensely.

We are captivated by the beauty of flowers every day. This blog is dedicated to the moments when we are completely enthralled with the joy of flowers. Thank you for partaking in these moments with us.

Your authors are the expert designers and staff of Stein Your Florist Co. and Steins at Sunset Florist. Formed in 1887 in Philadelphia, PA, Steins is the city's oldest florist and has been named Philadelphia's Favorite Florist. Our vision is to share our love of flowers with the world, while maintaining socially and ecologically responsible practices.

Flowers make the moment... Let us make a moment for you at Stein Your Florist Co.